The 10 Best Graphics Cards For Gaming

This wiki has been updated 7 times since it was first published in December of 2018. The video card is generally the most important and most expensive component in any low-budget or cutting-edge gaming rig. And now that the cryptocurrency craze has slowed somewhat, actual gamers are once again able to purchase high-end graphics cards without taking out a second mortgage. We've tracked down the most powerful and reliable variations on some of today's top GPUs.
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This wiki has been updated 7 times since it was first published in December of 2018. The video card is generally the most important and most expensive component in any low-budget or cutting-edge gaming rig. And now that the cryptocurrency craze has slowed somewhat, actual gamers are once again able to purchase high-end graphics cards without taking out a second mortgage. We've tracked down the most powerful and reliable variations on some of today's top GPUs.
When users buy our independently chosen editorial
choices,
we may earn commissions to
help fund the Wiki.
Skip to the best graphics card for gaming on Amazon.

10. MSI RX 560 Aero

REVIEW

DETAILS

SPECS

Delivering reasonable processing power at well under two hundred dollars, the MSI RX 560 Aero would make an excellent choice for a budding gamer's first custom build. It uses internal copper heat pipes and dynamic ventilation to keep temperatures in a safe range.

9. XFX GTS XXX

REVIEW

DETAILS

SPECS

Fleshing out the low-budget side of the market, the XFX GTS XXX features an easily configured BIOS with a built-in overclocking function. It has a solid backplate and removable fans, to accommodate for the installation of a water cooler.

8. Asus Vega 64 OC

REVIEW

DETAILS

SPECS

Capable of pushing at least a hundred frames per second, the Asus Vega 64 OC is an incredibly capable model, albeit at a considerably high cost. It comes somewhat aggressively tweaked from the factory, but it actually works faster at a slightly lower voltage than stock.

7. EVGA 1060 SC

REVIEW

DETAILS

SPECS

If you'd rather not spend an arm and a leg, the EVGA 1060 SC is a great solution, as it delivers a seamless experience at a price far lower than its bigger siblings. Its 6 gigabytes of memory are just enough to handle HD textures with ease.

6. Sapphire 590 Nitro+

REVIEW

DETAILS

SPECS

Based on the newest chipset release from the perennial processor underdog, the Sapphire 590 Nitro+ is an excellent way to make use of AMD FreeSync, which is much more common and less expensive than the opposition's adaptive refresh technology.

5. MSI RTX 2080 X Trio

REVIEW

DETAILS

SPECS

Among the best-performing and most reliable options, the MSI RTX 2080 X Trio is named for the high-efficiency fans that keep it running coolly and quickly. It takes advantage of cutting-edge GDDR6 memory, which far exceeds its predecessor in bandwidth.

4. Asus ROG Vega 56

REVIEW

DETAILS

SPECS

The Asus ROG Vega 56 is one of the rare competitors to the high-end GTX line, and it comes in at a price that won't totally shock you. Its 8 gigabytes of HBM2 memory and moderate out-of-the-box overclock make it ideal for 1440p operation at the highest graphics settings.

3. EVGA GTX 1080 TI

REVIEW

DETAILS

SPECS

Even though its chipset has been superseded by a later generation, the EVGA GTX 1080 TI is an excellent solution for a high-end gaming rig. This particular variant can even outperform all but the very fastest of the new releases.

2. Zotac GTX 1070 Ti Amp

REVIEW

DETAILS

SPECS

At a surprisingly reasonable price, the Zotac GTX 1070 Ti Amp is about as fast as you'll find, without making an overly large investment. It's an ideal choice for anyone building their own VR-ready PC, and it should be a viable GPU for quite some time.

1. MSI RTX 2070 Z

REVIEW

DETAILS

SPECS

The MSI RTX 2070 Z utilizes hardware-based machine learning to combine individual pixels into the crispest, cleanest images imaginable. As of its release, it's the only thing capable of real-time ray tracing that could possibly be called cost effective.

Editor's Notes

December 17, 2018:

One of the most ironic parts of Nvidia's supposedly groundbreaking RTX series is that its top flagship model, the 2080 Ti, is apparently rife with manufacturing defects, and nobody wants to buy a $1000+ paperweight. So that one's pretty much out the window until the component stock (particularly the overheating-prone memory) has been refreshed by later this year. Until then, the 2080 is the fastest, but oh boy, it costs a lot. The top ray-tracing-per-dollar spot goes to the 2070, which is a bit easier to afford. If you're not concerned with the newest buzz-word technologies, the GTX 1080 Ti is still a powerhouse, and the 1070 Ti may well be the king of the price-to-performance ratio right now. The Vega 56 we included is a well-refined unit, and it, like all AMD GPUs, will help you take advantage of the relatively common FreeSync technology that ensures a smooth experience. The cheapest ones worth picking up are the GTX 1060 and the RX 560, but the former is a significantly faster card. For what it's worth, the specific 3rd-party variants on display here are some of the fastest and most refined releases, and they've all been vetted and praised by a number of experts.

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Building PCs, remodeling, and cooking since he was young, quasi-renowned trumpeter Christopher Thomas traveled the USA performing at and organizing shows from an early age. His work experiences led him to open a catering company, eventually becoming a sous chef in several fine LA restaurants. He enjoys all sorts of barely necessary gadgets, specialty computing, cutting-edge video games, and modern social policy. He has given talks on debunking pseudoscience, the Dunning-Kruger effect, culinary technique, and traveling. After two decades of product and market research, Chris has a keen sense of what people want to know and how to explain it clearly. He delights in parsing complex subjects for anyone who will listen -- because teaching is the best way to ensure that you understand things yourself.

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